Canada conducted the first Express Entry draw of December 2025, inviting 1,123 candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to apply for permanent residence. This draw takes place on 08 December 2025 and it is a reflection of the country’s previous trend of giving priority to ruled nominees as part of the country’s effort to deal with the increasing labour market demand in the provinces.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this PNP-focused round was set at 729, which confirms the candor of Canada’s policy of selecting only the top profiles that are backed by provincial nominations. The draw also counts as among the largest PNP invitation rounds of the year and this actually highlights the continuing influence of provinces on the immigration system of Canada.
Express Entry Draw Highlights
● Draw Date – 08 December 2025
● Program – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
● Number of Invitations – 1,123
● CRS Score – 729
– This draw means the biggest PNP specific Express Entry round in 2025.
– All applicants who were granted ITAs had current provincial nominations which resulted in an addition of 600 points to their basic CRS, thereby raising their scores to 729 or above – thus qualifying them for invitation.
CRS Score Distribution Express Entry Pool
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 601–1200 | 1,110 |
| 501–600 | 27,096 |
| 451–500 | 68,679 |
| 491–500 | 12,445 |
| 481–490 | 12,303 |
| 471–480 | 14,851 |
| 461–470 | 14,351 |
| 451–460 | 14,729 |
| 401–450 | 66,302 |
| 441–450 | 13,844 |
| 431–440 | 14,166 |
| 421–430 | 12,613 |
| 411–420 | 12,193 |
| 401–410 | 13,486 |
| 351–400 | 52,344 |
| 301–350 | 18,799 |
| 0–300 | 8,049 |
| Total | 242,379 |
What This Means for Applicants
● The December 8 draw has clearly shown that provincial nominations are still the most preferred route to settle down permanently in Canada through Express Entry by the end of 2025.
● The situation is such that the cut-off remains very high (729), therefore candidates without provincial nominations will have to either wait for general/all-program draws or participate in category-based draws (French-speaking, healthcare occupations) but the timing of these draws remains uncertain and the CRS thresholds may also vary.
● For those who are invited: it will be necessary to submit a complete application for permanent residence, which includes medical exams, police clearances, proof of funds (if required), and work experience and nomination documentation, within the usual 60-day period.
Recap of Express Entry Draws
| Date | Number of Invitations | CRS Score | Draw Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 December 2025 | 1,123 | 729 | Provincial Nominee Program |
| 28 November 2025 | 6,000 | 408 | French Language Proficiency |
| 26 November 2025 | 1,000 | 531 | Canadian Experience Class |
| 25 November 2025 | 777 | 699 | Provincial Nominee Program |
| 14 November 2025 | 3,500 | 462 | Healthcare and Social Services Occupations |
| 12 November 2025 | 1,000 | 533 | Canadian Experience Class |
| 10 November 2025 | 714 | 738 | Provincial Nominee Program |